Franklin University Alumni Awards

Franklin University Alumni Awards – Recognizing Alumni Achievements

The Franklin University Alumni Awards have been established to recognize the many achievements of Franklin University alumni, both professionally and personally. 

With one category awarded each term, winners will be recognized during corresponding commencement ceremonies.

The Awards consist of three (3) categories Franklin University Alumni Award for Professional Excellence, Franklin University Alumni of the Year Award, and Franklin University Alumni Award for Social Impact, and are open to Franklin University alumni. The Franklin University Alumni Advisory Council will consider nominations and applications and will make its recommendations to the University’s president for approval. 

Alumni of the Year Award

award logo

The Alumni of the Year award will be awarded to an outstanding alumnus who has given time, talent or treasure to the University in an elevated way; and who makes an impact on current students.

Alumni of the year 2023 Award Winner

Misti Norman

"Misti Norman graduated from Franklin University with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Marketing.  Since her graduation, she has started several successful businesses ranging from for-profit to non-profit organizations with a focus on community service.  She owns and operates Heavenly Kids Center for Learning, an early learning center for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, for the past 16 years in the downtown Discovery District in Columbus, Ohio.  Misti's mission to “nurture, teach and grow children to reach their highest potential” has spanned from children to families and staff alike.  Her goal is to educate and support families to build a legacy for themselves and pass on strong principles of success to the next generation(s).    Heavenly Kids has expanded its services to provide work force and professional development programs for parents and teachers.  "

Alumni Award for Social Impact

award logo

The Alumni Award for Social Impact will be awarded to an outstanding alumnus who demonstrates the positive impact they have had on a/the community through their work in social innovation within the profit, non-profit or public sector; or who demonstrates a significant, long-term impact of their contribution to the Community and University. Evidence of impact may include but is not limited to a demonstrated positive impact on a community arising from social innovation; including, but not limited to; social enterprise, corporate social responsibility, volunteerism, and community development, and verification of enduring and positive outcomes for the community and University.

Alumni Award for Social Impact

Dr. Bryanna Stigger

"Bryanna earned her bachelor’s degree through Franklin’s 3+1 partnership with COTC and ultimately completed her master’s at Franklin as well. She also recently completed her doctorate at The Ohio State University. Bryanna is the program manager for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Engineering at Ohio State, where she manages diversity education programs and professional development workshops to advance the diversity and inclusion mission and vision of the college. Bryanna is also a certified professional life coach, and CEO and founder of her own coaching and consulting business, Bry Inspired."

Alumni Award for Professional Excellence

award logo

The Alumni Award for Professional Excellence will be awarded to an outstanding alumnus who has achieved sustained success throughout their career that is noteworthy and exceptional, demonstrated sustained contribution to their profession at local, national and international levels, and raised their profile and standing within their community, country, or internationally and bring greater recognition to their profession.

Alumni Awards - Alumni Award for Professional Excellence Section

Thomas Wolf

"Thomas Wolf is the founder and managing member of Wolf Financial Group LLC, a full-service accounting firm with offices in Canton and Columbus, he has more than 20 years’ experience in the accounting field. Wolf Financial Group LLC has earned a reputation for outstanding accounting, tax and advisory services and Wolf Financial Group LLC has been recognized with many professional awards. Wolf Financial Group LLC provides business consulting services, tax preparation services for individuals and businesses, tax planning services, accounting services, payroll processing, QuickBooks setup and implementation and tax resolution services."

Previous Winners

Inaugural Winner - Alumni Award for Social Impact

Brandon Curry

Inaugural Winner - Alumni Award for Professional Excellence Section

Matthew W. McCrystal

Alumni of the year 2023 Award Winner

Robert Coles

Inaugural Alumni of the year 2022 Award Winner

Philip Fankhauser